Metallurgical testing refers to the collection of inspections and empirical examinations that are conducted on a metal to verify its properties prior to bending, shaping or other forms of physical manipulation. Metallurgical testing is used to determine the appropriateness of a particular metal for a given application.
Metallurgical testing may also be known as metallurgical evaluation, examination or analysis.
Metallurgical testing typically uses microscopy to provide vital details about the structure and properties of a metal or alloy sample. The process makes use of a metallography examination or analysis.
Metallurgical testing includes an examination of the following core properties:
- Tensile strength
- Hardness
- Elasticity
- Grain size
- Surface contamination